The Jane Austen Book Club (2008)
Infrequent moderate coarse language
| Director: | Robin Swicord |
| Actors: | Maria Bello, Emily Blunt, Hugh Dancy, Amy Brenneman |
You don't have to know the books to be in the club. Six book club members, six Austen books, six interwoven story lines over six months in the busy modern setting of Sacramento, where city and suburban sprawl meet natural beauty. While the contemporary stories never slavishly parallel the Austen plots, the six characters find echoes, predictions, warnings and wisdom about their own trajectories within Austen's beloved narratives.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 105mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
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Member Reviews (56)
56 Member
Reviews
says
Enjoyed this movie so much I went on ebay to buy it. I also like Jane Austen which helps. Good chic flick
chookey
says
Enjoyed it . Good acting, not great. Hard to follow at times.
Ron
says
My wife's been exposing me to Jane Austen movies for a while now. Such tales of love, heartache & longing are timeless, & this movie shows that none of that has changed. A good modern take on all the Austen stories & the inter-twining of modern relationships. I thought Jimmy Smits was probably a bit of an odd casting choice, & I recently saw Hugh Dancy in the movie "Adam", where he plays someone with Aspergers. I'm not sure which movie he did first, but the character seemed very similar! All in all, a well made, deep & meaningful ensemble of love stories in the modern world.
Gail
says
Disappointing
Jim
says
An enjoyable movie despite the dialogue being quite difficult to understand in parts. Subtitles would have helped.
Sam
says
Hmmm, boring really............
Robin
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Quite good
Jane
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I just loved this movie. Entranced would be the right word. The change in the characters as the movie progressed was beautifully done.
Kaz
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I love this movie too! It's hard to pick a favourite character, they were all great and very realistic yet so different. I loved seeing the relationship between the characters develop. A wonderful feelgood movie that's funny too. It leaves you wanting to read all of the Jane Austen novels.
Jess
says
Love this movie! Jane Austen and romance what could be better!
tere
says
Predictable
Kim
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This DVD was sticking in several places. I had to fast forward to overcome the sticking and thereby lost the sense of some parts of the movie. Not impressed.
Ziggy
says
A bit of a howler I'm afraid. The cast were C grade actors, the script appaling and the predictability was laughable. It's a no star for me.
Jen
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Loved this movie and watched it twice. Thought it was a top movie and plenty of romance and drama.
Sarah
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I love this movie, I've watched it multiple times and never get tired of it. It's a little predictable I suppose but such a feelgood movie, funny and warm and entertaining. I love it that the characters are so realistic and varied, and I enjoy listening to their intelligent discussions about Jane Austen. This film inspired my group of girlfriends to form our own Jane Austen Book Club, which has been a great success!
My favourite bits are the shots of each character curled up with a book in a comfy reading space, with a blanket and a cup of tea. Bliss!
Andrew Satrapa
says
A wonderful human story with good actors and a good, interesting 'plot'. Was very interesting seeing the character development of each of the women and their men as the book club progressed through each of the books and they have the chance to reflect on their personal lives through the stories they were reading
Claire
says
Cute and likable if you're looking to while away some time, this is the type of movie to watch when you're multi-tasking
Carolyn
says
didn't watch it in the end
AJ
says
I enjoyed this more than I expected. I read the book several years ago and didn't really ring any bells then, but quite enjoyed the film
A Dunn
says
Very slow paced movie giving insight into possibilities of why Jane Austen wrote novels that she did. It discussed questions that the reviewers thought about her state of mind etc when writing particular novels. Jane Austen fans would find this movie very thought provoking and interesting.
LC
says
Didn't enjoy this - was too slow
bc
says
My daughter and I loved this - husband left after 10 minutes
Leesha
says
I remember enjoying the book, but the movie did nothing for me. Trite and unremarkable. Just another chick flick not done well.
NR
says
Enjoyable, and would watch again. This movie was better than I expected it would be. Found the characters very warm and likeable. Quite funny in places. Wasn't too short and too long in duration, for the storyline.
Alex H
says
Maybe I should join a book club and change my life. The many personalities taking part in this excersise all played their part well. It helps to love Jane Austin's writing though.
Melissa
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This movie really didn't keep my interest much, but I stuck it out. And eventually had a likeable ending. I haven't read or seen much of the austen stories but am interested now to read some.
Rosie
says
Read the book, thoroughly enjoyed it. Loved the film, would most certainly watch it again. Total chick flick!
Becks77
says
I loved this film .... the story let the actors down in some places I feel - but its message is a lovely one. A nice departure from the usual girly films, this one seemed to have real characters - not the typical insipid girls who constantly fret about dress sense etc, but real issues for real women.
Loved it. Male supporting cast fabulous - Hugh Dancy is gorgeous as ever!
Barbara C.
says
I saw this movie at the Theatre and thought it was worth another look. I was right - well acted, thoroughly entertaining and leaves you with the urge to read Jane Austen again.
chris
says
it was ok.. expected a bit more "issues" but felt they fall short and never followed through properly so you can get drawn in... maybe they should of made each of her a movie sequel...
Ann B.
says
some surprises not a bad film definitely chick flick
Michelle H.
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I really enjoyed this movie. I loved how the characters lives unravelled around the reading of Jane Austen's books. Very sweet, easy to watch movie.
Lucy C.
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Very enjoyable movie. The casting was perfect and the actors did a good job.
Zakgirl
says
I really enjoyed this movie. It seemed to have storylines within storylines which I found interesting. The characterisations were good.
My friend wasn't as impressed as I was and she tended to become distracted - (may have had something to do wtih the fact that she was drinking red wine and it was New Years Eve.
However, I really enjoyed the movie and watched it twice before returning it. (hope I don't get charged double) :)
Jane M.
says
Nice easy viewing. I was a bit hungover when I watched it 2 days ago so I can't really recall a lot about it so it obviously doesn't make a huge impression but it was an enjoyable watch!
Liz
says
If you are a fan of Jane Austen you will love this movie because you can relate to the love they have for her books.
Jillian
says
I adore this movie. The characters start a book club in order to cheer up a member whose dog has died, but it also proves a distraction to another whose husband has left her.The characters change, develop and are influenced or challenged by the books they're reading and discussing. Initially the group is awkward and uncomfortable but as they get to know one another better they each become better people.
Tina
says
A good chick flick.
Tara
says
This is a brilliant movie, its a must see for everyone, even if you have not read or seen anything by jane austen.
Andrew
says
As far as chick-flicks go, this was bearable. The array of characters at least gave it a bit more to explore, but it was predictable as expected. Easy to watch.
Sandra S.
says
Thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was a warm hearted look at friendships and a great cast as well. It was a very realistic view of human relations. The books themselves weren't really discussed so much in this movie but that did not detract from how great it was. More of a chick flick though. Glad I saw it.
Narelle B.
says
Worth watching, a lighthearted look into relationships and friends.
Bill
says
Chickflic undoubtedly but gently humorous with it - very good cast, good script (was Austen a closet feminist?). Enjoyable.
Belinda P.
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Chick flick, fluffly unbelievable but fairly enjoyable story.
Suzanne A.
says
Enjoyable chick flick which I'll probably watch many times over when I want something light hearted. Don't expect too much from it and you won't be disappointed. There are some interesting perspectives in there which have made me want to re-read some of the books which can't be a bad thing. Anytime is a good time for injecting a little Austen into a busy corporate lifestyle.
Margaret F.
says
I really enjoyed this move moved along quite comfortably .Loved the characters and and all their very different personalities did'nt want it to end >
Michael S.
says
This had 'chick flick' written all over it and maybe it is that but not only that. This is a rare bird from the Hollywood Hills, a sophisticated and crafted piece of screen play writing, plus a well balanced ensemble cast.
It has a quiet wit about it and while some knowledge of the Austen Oeuvre would be an advantage ( mainly in the subtext sorting!) it's not at all necessary.
Well worth the effort.
Amour S.
says
A great ensemble of talented actors and actresses.
It kept me interested and now I want to read the books they were talking about. I loved the ending, if only real life were like that!
Okto F.
says
Worth Watching - Warm
Jessica T.
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This movie was an absolute waste of time if you have read an Austen book you will probably be as amazed as I was at the loose connections to Austen themes and the terrible storyline, don't bother.
Judy H.
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I thought this was a great movie. Made want to read all the books they talk about. Nice interaction between actors. Worth watching.
Michelle J.
says
Being such a Jane Austen fan I was disappointed in this movie. It was very slow to get going but the ending was enjoyable and realistic. I was expecting the novels to be explored and discussed more.
Jane F.
says
A very enjoyable lighthearted movie. Definitely heartwarming if you have read some of Austen's work, but good even if you haven't. I am going to go back to reading some Jane Austen now!
Maria C.
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An average hollywood chick flick.
Carly P.
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I thought the movie was much better than the book. The characters were more developed. An enjoyable film.
YHY.
says
Interesting movie to watch. I watched Becoming Jane and it makes me want to watch this movie. I think it's great story plot, great actors & actresses and it's enjoyable to watch. It's very worthed to watch it.